Exodus 22:12-22

12 And if it be stolen from him, he shall make compensation to the owner.

13 And if it be seized of beasts, he shall bring him to the prey, and he shall not make compensation.

14 And if any one borrow of his neighbour, and it be wounded or die or be carried away, and the owner of it be not with it, he shall make compensation.

15 But if the owner be with it, he shall not make compensation: but if it be a hired thing, there shall be to him instead of his hire.

16 And if any one deceive a virgin that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her for a wife to himself.

17 And if her father positively refuse, and will not consent to give her to him for a wife, he shall pay compensation to her father according to the amount of the dowry of virgins.

18 Ye shall not save the lives of sorcerers.

19 Every one that lies with a beast ye shall surely put to death.

20 He that sacrifices to any gods but to the Lord alone, shall be destroyed by death.

21 And ye shall not hurt a stranger, nor afflict him; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

22 Ye shall hurt no widow or orphan.

Exodus 22:12-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 22

This chapter contains various laws concerning theft, Ex 22:1-4, concerning damage done to fields and vineyards by beasts, and to corn in stacks or standing, by fire, Ex 22:5,6, concerning anything or creature deposited in the hands of a neighbour, and they be stolen or lost by one means or another, Ex 22:7-13, concerning anything borrowed, and it comes to any damage, Ex 22:14,15, concerning fornication, Ex 22:16,17 concerning witchcraft, bestiality, and idolatry, Ex 22:18-20 concerning oppression, and affliction of the stranger, fatherless, and widow, Ex 22:21-24 concerning taking usury and pledges, Ex 22:25-27, concerning irreverence to magistrates, Ex 22:28, concerning the offering of firstfruits to God, Ex 22:29,30 and the chapter is concluded with a prohibition of eating anything torn by beasts, Ex 22:31.

Footnotes

• [a]. If the borrower be a hireling, he shall have the ruined beast instead of his hire?